GHRP-6
Also referred to as: Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6, SKF-110679
One of the original growth-hormone-releasing peptides, studied for both growth-hormone release and increased appetite through the ghrelin pathway.
In plain terms: GHRP-6 is one of the first peptides of its kind — it tells the body to release growth hormone through the ghrelin "door," and it also tends to increase hunger. Its research is mostly early-stage and historical.
- Name
- GHRP-6
- Aliases
- Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6, SKF-110679
- Classification
- Growth-hormone secretagogue (peptide)
- Areas studied
- Ghrelin pathway, Growth hormone & IGF-1, Appetite
What it is
GHRP-6 is a synthetic peptide and one of the earliest growth-hormone secretagogues studied. It prompts growth-hormone release through the ghrelin pathway, and it is also noted for increasing appetite — a clue that helped scientists discover the natural hormone ghrelin.
Its research is largely historical and early-stage.
Mechanism
GHRP-6 plugs into the ghrelin (GHS) docking point to prompt growth-hormone release. Because that same receptor is involved in hunger signaling, GHRP-6 also tends to increase appetite — which is why it played a role in the discovery of ghrelin itself.
The growth-hormone-to-IGF-1 chain is the downstream system studied.
Areas studied & investigated
The categories below summarize where GHRP-6 appears in the research literature. They describe what the compound is studied for and investigated in — not approved uses, and not guidance for any kind of use.
Ghrelin pathway
Studied for prompting growth-hormone release through the ghrelin signal.
Growth hormone & IGF-1
Looked at for effects on growth-hormone and IGF-1 levels.
Appetite
Noted for increasing hunger, which helped reveal the hormone ghrelin.
History of the field
A foundational compound in the discovery of growth-hormone secretagogues.
Research history
GHRP-6 was among the first synthetic growth-hormone-releasing peptides, studied from the 1980s onward. Its appetite effect contributed to the discovery of ghrelin in 1999.
State of the literature
GHRP-6 has a mostly historical and early-stage research record. It is not an approved drug.
What to keep in mind
GHRP-6 is historically important to science, but "important to the history of research" is not the same as "shown to be safe or effective for use." The built-in appetite increase is a real effect, not a small detail. As with the rest of this group, lean on the citations and treat it as early-stage.
Research tools
Evaluating a GHRP-6 batch for laboratory research? These free, research-use-only calculators help you work the numbers and read the paperwork: the reconstitution calculator solves vial concentration and draw volume, and the COA reader walks a certificate line by line. For how much and how often GHRP-6 is commonly used, see the dosing guides.
Batch-tested with published COAs
See what a published COA looks like
Midwest Compounds does not currently list GHRP-6. Every compound it does sell is tested by an independent lab, with a batch-linked certificate of analysis you can check before you buy.
Citations
The summary above is drawn from published, peer-reviewed sources. Links open the abstract on PubMed, or the free full text on PubMed Central (PMC) where marked.
- Bowers CY, et al. On the in vitro and in vivo activity of a new synthetic hexapeptide that acts on the pituitary to specifically release growth hormone. Endocrinology, 1984. Abstract
- Smith RG, et al. Peptidomimetic regulation of growth hormone secretion. Endocrine Reviews, 1997. Abstract